Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Never have I been more determined to write something worth reading, something inspired, something….profound.(?) I have draft after draft of what began as a good idea (at least in my head), but fell flat when it landed on paper. I hate that!

Instead of locking myself in a room with my thoughts, I just placated myself with mindless television…and when I say mindless, I mean MINDLESS! Seriously, I'm losing faith quickly in the Discovery Channel! "Clash of the Ozarks"? Really? If you haven't seen this show (which aired for the first time last night) don't watch it. I think my IQ dropped during the course of the show. Why did I watch it? There's a very good reason, it was filmed 40 miles from me in Hardy, AR. Chris (the hubby) grew up very near there (and his parents still live about 10 miles away from there), but never heard of the big feud between the two families. I have yet to find anyone who has. What saddens me most is the fact that Discovery had to search long and hard to find the most toothless people available! I'm a native Arkansas, I don't drink moonshine, I have a penchant for shoes, and I still have all my teeth! How about a show that really digs into the seedy side of Hardy, AR….you know, the place filled with antique shops and retirees! (although there is a tattoo parlor and a store named "Goths R Us"…though I haven't browsed their merchandise.)

I guess it's all about the image you project. People really do believe what they see. Your words can say one thing, but you actions and image speak volumes. Today has been a very classic example of just that. Today someone told me, "I'm a good person, I really care about people" then turned right around and told the sweet little girlfriend she's stupid (repeatedly) and to just shut up. Good person? I hope that isn't the true definition of a good person because I would really hate to see the bad one!
As you can imagine, a long tirade from me about showing respect ensued. I don't think it sank in because the response directed toward me was disrespectful (from a high school kid), too. This may have been the point when I may or may not have said he should be thankful he wasn't dating my daughter. Of course, my daughter would have knocked him out in floor long before I had to step in. Less than an hour later another student was speaking to his mother on his cell phone (in class, no less, no respect for classroom rules), using language directed toward her that infuriated me even more. I don't care how smart you think you are, or just how mature you think you are, you have no right to call your mother a name! (especially one that could mean the animal Jesus rode into Jerusalem on was not very smart.) Given the course of the days events I may or may not have told him it was a good thing I was not his mamma. (just think of Bill Cosby's statement "I brought you into this world, I can take you out!") And it was only a few minutes later when I told yet another student to do something and his reply was, "No. You didn't say please." I gave him "the look" and melted him on the spot.

I guess today was just one of those days when I'd just had it. All those thoughts that you don't have time to worry about crowded in. I'm tired. I don't sleep well, but nights like this it's much worse. Why can't I just turn off the brain for a little while. I don't want to think. I don't want to worry. I don't want to be disappointed. I just want peace….and quiet….and sleep.

Monday, February 24, 2014

I have first period study hall. I hear many conversations of events and happenings over the weekend and I am more convinced than ever that we need to pray for our youth. They need positive role models. They need to know that alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, and foul language do not lead to a happy life...both on earth and for eternity.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

So many times I'm in such a rush in the mornings that I forget to take time to give thanks to God, but there are some mornings when He does something so amazing that you just have to stop and soak it all in, like the sunrise on Thursday morning. Thank You, Lord.

About Me

I have a permanent reminder of God's grace and mercy; my kitchen floor. We decided we wanted wood floors in our new home, I came while they were being installed and all I noticed were the stripes where they were working from one palette to another. I HATED it and let poor Chris know it.(what made it worse was that he was the one laying the floor and was so proud of his idea to mix the palettes of wood) It almost made me sick with disappointment and the only thoughts I had were where to get a big sander and how was I going to restain the floors so they looked "right". Anyway, early one Sunday morning I came out here (the house wasn't completely finished then) and I sat in the middle of the floors and cried. God gently (like a ton of bricks) placed a scripture in my head that will never forget. "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the chastisement of our sin was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5.
STRIPES, just like the ones on my floor were on the back of my Savior. Yes, my attitude improved and you may come see my beautiful floor any time.